Twenty-Six
The four held back waiting on the large crowd to leave the dance before they ventured to the entrance leaving the beautiful courtyard behind. Ginny walked beside Harry, his arm wrapped around her waist lightly. Ron and Hermione were a few steps in front of them talking. Hermione began humming a tune she had heard earlier that evening, Ginny quickly remembered the song. Laughing she raced forward wrapping her arm around Hermione's waist pulling her away from Ron who decided to fall back in step with Harry. Ginny took Hermione's hand and twirled her around as they walked down the corridor as she Ginny sang. The girls continued to laugh and dance their way up the hall half singing half humming the infectious tune. "Nutters, I'm telling ya," Ron mumbled. Harry smiled to himself wishing the night didn't have to end.
Hermione belted out the chorus throwing her arms into the air while walking. Ginny was laughing and twirling around singing with Hermione, her heart felt light and she couldn't remember having so much fun. She turned back smiling to look at Harry and Ron. Harry was watching rather amused at his loves behavior. Ginny reached her hand out beckoning Harry to join her when a wave if dizziness crashed over her. A stricken look crossed her features as she doubled over, it felt like someone had thrown her bodily into an ocean of ice. Her vision swam, she couldn't breath, her limbs trembled. Tom's voice screamed with laughter, "You're Mine!" Riddle's voice echoed inside her mind. Ginny wasn't sure who was screaming, she could make out distant sounds as if someone was calling for her. It felt like she was slowly falling.
The last thing she remembered before darkness over took her was Hermione standing beside Ron she was holding her hair back to the side as if she was bending over and it had fallen forward. Ron's face had gone deathly pale and he had a vice grip on Hermione's arm, both looking frightened, calling out to her. Harry's face was close to her own as her golden hazel eyes began to close. Ginny's vision blurred over recalling the panic in Harry's eyes before another wave of cold took her down into it's unending depths.
"Ginny. . ." Her brain felt fuzzy; behind her closed eye lids she could see bright light. Something was trying to pull her out of her comfortable sleep. Ginny groaned turning her head away from who ever it was trying to wake her. "Ginny, please wake up." The voice begged. Ginny's eyes fluttered open; the first thing she noticed was the starch white curtains surrounding her. "Hey beautiful," a soft soothing voice spoke in her ear. Ginny turned her head to source of the sound. Harry smiled down at her, brushing stray strands of hair away from her face. "Welcome back," he whispered before leaning in placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Ginny's brain struggled to try and figure out what happened. The last thing she remembered was the dance, and walking down the hall singing with Hermione. "Harry?" Ginny croaked out, she noticed her throat was parched. "Shhh. . ." Harry brought a cup of cool water to her lips which she was grateful for. "What happened?" Ginny spoke clearing her throat to get rid of the hoarseness. "I don't know love; I was hoping you could tell me." Harry said, gently stroking her arm with one hand while holding on firmly to her hand with his other. Ginny noticed that Harry was still wearing the muggle tuxedo, minus the tie and jacket which were hanging on the back of his chair. "Harry, what time is it?" said Ginny, she looked down at herself finding that she was now in her favorite white nightdress. Harry saw where she was looking and spoke up, "Ginger brought that for you to wear, she thought you'd be more comfortable. I am guessing it's around mid afternoon by now."
The curtain at the foot of the bed was removed as Madam Pomfrey entered carrying several bottles of different potions, she tisked after taking a hard look at Harry before setting the items down. "He's been here the whole night, the stubborn lad, wouldn't leave your side for a moment." She picked up Ginny's wrist counting her pulse while watching her pocket watch. "How are you feeling Miss Weasley?" the nurse asked after putting her wrist back down on the bed and reaching to straighten out Ginny's sheets." "I'm feeling fine, I guess." said Ginny. She wasn't sure exactly what sort of answer to give the stern nurse. "Do you think I'll be able to go back to my room now?" Ginny asked knowing more than likely it wasn't going to happen. "Perhaps tomorrow dear, Professor Dumbledore will be in later on to speak with you. How about we get some nourishment in you." Madame Pomfrey gave Ginny's shoulder a matronly pat and walked away to get Ginny a meal tray. Ginny turned her attention back to Harry who still had a tight hold on her hand, "You stayed here all night?" Harry gave her a tired smile squeezing her hand, "Madam Pomfrey even threatened to hex me into next month but I wouldn't budge, Professor Dumbledore finally talked her into giving me permission to stay. I had to promise to not make a sound that might wake you or I'd be done for." Harry chuckled. His expression turned sober again, "Seriously Gin, are you alright?" His vivid green eyes searched her face boring deep into her as if trying to read her soul. "I think so Harry," Ginny gave him a soft smile, "I won't keep anything from you." He looked deep into her eyes once more before nodding his head, satisfied with what he saw.
"Ah, Miss Weasley, so good to see you awake," said Professor Dumbledore walking up on the other side of her bed. "Thank you Professor," Ginny said smiling up at him. Madam Pomfrey returned with a covered tray in her arms. "Mr. Potter you should go now and see about a change and something to eat," the nurse said setting the tray down. "I'd much rather stay," Harry said in a grumpy tone. "Harry I'd like to speak to Miss Weasley alone, go along now and tend to yourself. You may return later." Dumbledore said grinning at Harry's stubbornness. Harry tried again to protest until Ginny gave his hand a gentle squeeze, he looked down at her and she gave him a reassuring smile. "Go on Harry, I'll be alright," Ginny said nodding her head. Harry let out a sigh of defeat and kissed Ginny's cheek before leaving the hospital wing.
Madam Pomfrey uncovered the meal tray exposing rich broth, various juices and hot chocolate. Ginny picked up the cup of hot chocolate taking a sip, she relished the warm comfort she felt reach her stomach. Professor Dumbledore sat in silence while Ginny enjoyed her liquids. After she was finished and Madam Pomfrey returned taking her tray and leaving a tea set for two before headmaster spoke, "Are you ready to tell me what happened, Ginny?" Ginny thought hard while Dumbledore poured a cup of tea for both of them. "I remember leaving the courtyard. I was singing with Hermione when it felt like I was drowning in cold." Ginny stared off into the distance as she spoke, holding her tea cup delicately in her trembling hands. "I heard Tom screaming at me, something. . . I think he was saying something about. . . I was his?"
Ginny turned her confused gaze to Dumbledore who was watching her with an expression of deep thought. Ginny sat her tea cup on the stand waiting for the headmaster to speak again. After several silence filled minutes Ginny looked back to find the professor staring into his own cup. "I wish I could say exactly what was the cause of all this, but alas I am at a loss." Dumbledore said before setting his cup aside Ginny's. "I am not sure at this point in time if what your experiencing is residual to the happenings with the Chamber or if there is some other outside influence." said Dumbledore as he stood up. Ginny sat silently watching the headmaster prepare to leave. "I think we will begin running tests tomorrow to see if we can figure anything out, as for the rest of the day I believe you should take it easy and rest." Professor Dumbledore smiled down at her giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before taking his leave.
Madam Pomfrey returned insisting that Ginny drink a sweet concoction she claimed would help her feel better. The nurse took the tea service as well as the medicine bottles and left, as soon as she was out of sight Ron and Hermione came around the side curtain. Ron sat down at the side of Ginny's bed taking her hand. Hermione walked around to the other side to sit. "Gods Ginny I was worried," Ron said squeezing her hand hard. "I'm ok Ron, really." Ginny smiled through a wince, Ron was almost crushing her fingers but she didn't have the heart to tell him. "Harry told us you have to stay over night but they will release you for classes tomorrow," said Hermione. Ron made a rude noise, "Of course we shant forget classes." Hermione smacked Ron on the arm giving him a scolding look. Ginny shook her head smiling. Ron reached into his pocket pulling out a deck of cards and the three began to play a muggle card game Hermione had taught them. After Ron won for the third time Harry returned. The group had to promise profusely to be quiet and not wear Ginny out to be allowed to stay. "Sorry I took so long," said Harry, "I was stuck answering a million questions in the common room." Harry pulled up his chair as Ron moved further down at the foot of the bed to give room. The four continued to enjoy passing the time by playing cards as well as talk about the previous night.
"What'll mum say when she finds out about the twins new project," Ron said laying a trump card down looking rather smug with himself. "You trumped my ace!" Hermione protested. "So sorry love, had to be done, really it did," said Ron. Hermione gave him a dirty look before turning back to her hand. Ginny suppressed a giggle, "If you two didn't bicker I'd swear you didn't love each other anymore," she said. Ron's stomach gave off a loud rumble which caused the group to laugh. "I'm starving," Ron said rubbing his midsection. "It is dinner time; perhaps we should stop and go eat?" Hermione said gathering up the cards. "But I was winning!" Harry complained. "Too rough for you old chap," Ron said slapping Harry on the back as he rose up from the bed. "Shove over will ya," Ron elbowed past Harry giving him a smile as he leaned into to his sister. Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a firm hug. "Don't scare me like that again." Ron whispered in her ear, "Love you runt," he said before kissing her cheek. "I love you too Ron," said Ginny. Ron's stomach gave another noisy growl. "Now go eat before you wake the dead with that loud stomach of yours," Ginny laughed. Ron stepped back and Hermione stepped forward to hug Ginny from the opposite side of the bed. "We'll see you tomorrow," Hermione said hugging Ginny tight. " 'Mione, keep Ron company tonight, he's worried and I'd hate for him to alone all night." Ginny whispered in Hermione's ear so no one else could hear. Hermione stood up quickly blushing; she heard the suggestive tone of Ginny's voice and could see the all knowing smile on the redheaded girls face. Giving Ginny a wink Hermione turned to meet Ron at the foot of the bed before leaving.
Madam Pomfrey must have been in an overly generous mood. To the surprise of Harry and Ginny the nurse pushed a cart containing two meal trays on it. "I know I will have no luck chasing you away to supper, so I will concede to allow you to eat with Miss Weasley, but I must insist that you return to your own dorm tonight to allow Ginny proper rest. Not wanting to press his luck Harry agreed. After the nurse walked away Harry and Ginny looked at each other with raised eyebrows and expressions of utter amazement. "I wonder if Professor Dumbledore slipped her some happy nectar in her tea earlier?" Ginny whispered removing the cover of her tray.
She was pleased to note that this meal she had real food this time instead of liquids. They ate together enjoying each other's company and light conversation. The meal finished Harry sat beside Ginny holding her hand rubbing the back of it with his thumb content to watch her in silence. Ginny's eyes grew heavy, the rhythmic stroking of his thumb soothing her even closer sleep. The hospital wing had grown dim, pale moonlight shown through the windows casting odd shadows over everything. Ginny let out a deep sigh snuggling down further into the bedding. They both knew at any moment Madam Pomfrey would be coming to chase Harry out. He stood up leaning over Ginny. Her eye lids opened again smiling up at Harry as he bent closer. Warmth settled over every inch of her as his lips gently moved over her own in a loving kiss that lingered pleasantly. Pulling back Harry looked into her eyes deeply for several seconds, "I love you," he said. Those three words held a mountain of meaning behind them. "I love you," she whispered back. Harry brought her hand up pressing his lips against them. Even through her tired state she still felt the thrill his touch brought her. He lowered her hand down brushing stray hairs away from her face before giving her one last kiss on the forehead. Ginny watched him walk to the end of the bed and smile at her one more time before leaving. It was only a matter of moments before Ginny drifted off to sleep.
Ginny's eyes flew open but she didn't move, something had woke her from her dreams. Ginny wasn't sure of exactly how long she had been asleep; she could tell by the shadows that the moon had moved further into the night sky. She was gripped by unease, as her heavy lids fought to close again her eyes scanned her surroundings. She gasped in horror; Tom's angry features loomed above her. A sneer on his lips, "It's time Ginny," his voice came to her ears. Her eyes went out of focus for a moment when they returned Tom had changed, he was still speaking to her, but it was a different face that now loomed over her. Malfoy's cold smile now hovered over her, "Time to face your destiny." Ginny couldn't react; her body was being lifted as she slipped quickly back into unconsciousness.
